The head coach of Dynamo answered journalists’ questions after the “Ukrainian Clasico.”
– How difficult was it today without Voloshyn? When Yarmolenko got tired, there was no one to strengthen the right flank…
– I believe that both in the first and second halves the game plan we chose worked. As you saw the mid-block functioned well – we won the ball back, created chances, carried out quick attacks, scored and had a few more opportunities. In the second half our players dropped physically, we reacted to that, but… two shots on target from the opponent, thanks to their quality of execution, turned into two goals. Chances we created, unfortunately, were not converted. There were moments – not many but they needed to be finished.
– How would you assess the performance of central defenders in episodes leading to conceded goals?
– I would focus more on the second goal when Traoré made the lay-off. Midfield players were trying to block but we were late reacting to the second ball. We conceded the first goal from that area and the second also came from a rebound situation when we didn’t follow through – the goalkeeper made a save but Shakhtar player was first to the rebound. It’s about concentration, you have to play until the end. We need to work on that.
– Why hasn’t Thiare been playing for such a long time?
– Because at the moment Mykhavko, Bilovar and Zakharchenko are in better form.
– Was bringing on Shola a gesture of desperation on your part?
– No, it was planned substitution.
